The pair will go on to face each other in the Nov. 8 general election.

“I’m very proud of receiving such a strong vote of confidence from Flint citizens,” Walling said after leaving his victory party at the White Horse Tavern in Flint. “It has been a difficult two years but clearly voters are behind me and my team and want to see me continue in this position.”

The final results came in at about midnight, after a nail-biter of a race between Buchanan and candidate Scott Smith for the second place spot.

Walling finished solidly in first place with 5,513 votes, or 48 percent, while Buchanan received 2,788 votes, or 24 percent.

Smith, who never quite caught up after Buchanan took an early lead, finished third with 2,459 votes, or 21 percent.

In Buchanan’s victory speech to supporters at his campaign headquarters, he said he will continue to campaign hard to win the votes necessary to be Flint’s next mayor.

“I know we can have victory,” he said, adding that he plans to be out campaigning and knocking on doors Wednesday. “I’m going to sleep tonight but I’ll rest in November.”

After being edged out of the race, Smith said he’s not sure what’s in store for him in the weeks and months ahead of the November election. He said he’s surprised Walling received as many votes as he did.

Smith, who had no political experience heading into this election, said he’s proud of his campaign workers, especially the young people.

“If nothing else maybe we saved a life this summer or changed a life of one of these kids,” he said.

Early in the night at Walling’s campaign headquarters, supporters greeted him with a standing ovation and chants of “four more years” as Walling showed a strong lead in the results.

Walling later noted that he finished stronger in this seven-way primary than he did in the six-way primary in 2009, when he received 45 percent of the vote and went on to win the special mayoral election.

“I expect a similar result this time around,” Walling said. “I’ll continue to run a strong citywide campaign.”

Flint voter Stevan Malone said he thinks Walling will do a good job as mayor.

“He’s doing the best he can in the situation he’s in,” said Malone, 56, after casting his vote at the Sarvis Conference Center. “He’s trying hard. It’s not going to be easy.”

Flint voter Eddie Fitzpatrick said he supports Buchanan because he has helped people in the community.

“I had some problems in the neighborhood,” said Fitzpatrick, 53, after voting at Cathedral of Faith Church near the Hasselbring Center. “They weren’t taking care of some stuff, but he helped me.”